Yes, they do. A handful of private groups including Jesus Cares at Exit 0, is doing extraordinary work in assisting the homeless with meals, medical care and other services.

But they are fighting an uphill battle with limited resources, one small homeless shelter with a waiting list and a city that rejects requests for use of any city-owned property downtown as a site to better serve the homeless.

With just 1½ years in office, perhaps Mr. Moore hasn't had time to learn what Louisville officials figured out years ago. The homeless population won't disappear just because some are forced off an encampment. In times of economic downturn, it's likely to get worse.

Nearly three decades ago, Louisville religious leaders and city officials helped launch the city's Coalition for the Homeless. It's been a remarkable success, leading to a network of shelters, meal sites, medical care and an array of services designed to help homeless individuals - who include parents and children - overcome obstacles and get into safe, secure homes.

Low educational attainment, job loss, debt, drug or alcohol problems, and serious illness, mental and physical, are among the range of obstacles communities can help the homeless overcome if they are willing to try.

Mr. Moore is in a good position to launch such an effort in Southern Indiana. It appears that several non-profit groups already are engaged in work with the homeless and likely would welcome some help from officials in Jeffersonville and other Southern Indiana communities.

Exit 0's Paul Stensrud is even "praying one day everyone will know what homelessness is about," according to a video by Courier-Journal photographer Michael Clevenger.

The homeless were at the city's front door when Mr. Moore took office - whether he saw them or not - and will be there when he leaves. It's up to him to decide whether to use his time in office to make things better for them and Jeffersonville.

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Editorial | Help, not scorn, for the homeless

It is sad that the construction of a new Ohio River bridge is forcing homeless people to flee their makeshift encampments under a highway overpass in Jeffersonville.